EE launches UK’s first consumer 5G+ network slicing service

EE has launched ‘Fast Lane’, described as the UK’s first commercial consumer implementation of network slicing technology on a 5G+ (5G Standalone) mobile broadband network. The feature allows for multiple virtual network slices across the same physical network, isolating traffic to provide dedicated performance for specific use cases such as online gaming, mobile payments, or enhanced broadband.

Unlike previous network slicing services that focused exclusively on specific business users, EE’s Fast Lane is available to both consumers and small businesses. The technology is designed to mitigate network congestion by moving connections into a dedicated section of the 5G+ network during high-footfall periods, such as rush hour or major public events.

EE’s 5G+ network currently reaches approximately 54 million people in the UK. The company aims to extend 5G+ coverage to 99% of the population by March 2030 as part of a larger £40 billion investment in the UK.